NEW KNOWLEDGE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION Juma SHABANI Durban July 7th, 2016

CONTEXT (1) Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2. The Knowledge society

THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were largely determined by OECD countries and international donor agencies. The SDGs apply to all countries and actors. They are holistic – they cover poverty reduction and inequality, sustainability and economic growth with job creation.

THE SDGs (2) Poverty reduction and growth Strategic Plans Very limited involvement of Universities In Africa, Innovation mainly introduced by African Union and NEPAD

SDGs (3) Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong opportunities for all Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation Innovation advances the technological capabilities of industrial sectors and prompts the development of new skills.

THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY (1) Knowledge society characterized by production of new knowledge, rapid development of science and technologies especially ICTs, competitiveness and innovation

THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY (2) Higher Education to play major role through training of highly qualified human resources Creation of new knowledge through research and innovation

THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY South Africa Vision 2030 Increase number of PhD graduates per year from 1,421 in 2010 to 5,000  ;  Increase number of academic staff with a PhD from 36% of the total number of academic staff in higher education in 2010 to 75%

PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION AND BUSINESS Mismatch between skills acquired in universities and skills need by the world of work The Economist Magazine: in 2012 600,000 graduate unemployed in South Africa but 800,000 vacancies Revision of curricula to align them to the needs of the world of work

PARTNERSHIPS (2) Areas of need for new knowledge include Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Examples: Extractive Industries Agriculture

EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES After agriculture, the extractive sector is the most important in most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa’s estimated budget for mining exploration is the second-largest in the world after Latin America

EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES (2) Exports of mineral products and fuels account for up to 38% of total exports in Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa is hosting 30% of the world’s total hydrocarbons and mineral reserves; 12% of its crude oil reserves; over a third of its bauxite, gold, uranium and chromite; 88% of its diamonds; and 95% of its vanadium.

AGRICULTURE In Sub-Saharan Africa agriculture contributes 32% of GDP and 65% of employment. The low level of human capital in the agricultural sector is a major constraint to growth, poverty reduction, and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa

AGRICULTURE (2) For at least a decade Sub-Saharan Africa has achieved an average annual economic growth of 4.5% BUT no impact on poverty reduction Limited economic benefits from extractive industries, agriculture and other STEM related activities Need to build/strengthen capacity in STEM

Network of African Centres of Excellence (ACEs) To promote regional specialization among participating universities To strengthen the capacities of universities to deliver high quality training and applied research. To meet the demand for skills required for Africa's development in areas such as the extractive industries and agriculture productivity.

NETWORK OF ACEs (2) To contribute to the strengthening of the best African universities in STEM; Agricultural Sciences; and Health Sciences. To promote academic/Research partnerships 19 Centres selected in West and Central Africa and 23 in Eastern and Southern Africa

GLOBAL UNIVERSITY RANKINGS New criteria: Partnerships between Higher Education and Business, especially through co-publication of articles; Knowledge transfer

UNIVERSITY-BUSINESS COOPERATION In Africa: The US-Africa Business Summits The East African Community (EAC) University- Business Forum In Europe The University-Business Forum

UNIVERSITY-BUSINESS COOPERATION (2) Objectives help universities to develop curricula that are relevant and meet the needs of students and society.

UNIVERSITY-BUSINESS COOPERATION (3) Objectives (2) encourage the transfer and sharing of knowledge, create long-term partnerships and opportunities, drive innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER Mainly through ICTs and interaction with industry Open Educational Resources MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) In 2015- 4,200 MOOCs on offer 43% of the world population is now online, with 3.2 billion Internet users, including 2 billion from developing countries, developing countries. 

INNOVATION In the knowledge society Innovation at the centre of all development strategies To turn ideas into products and services that can contribute to economic growth and creation of jobs.

EUROPE: INNOVATION UNION STRATEGY Investments in Education, R&D and ICTs Support for implementation of the European Higher Education and Research Areas Higher education and Research institutions at the centre of the implementation of the Strategy

AFRICA: SEVERAL NEPAD/AU STRATEGIES Sustained increase in growth but little impact on poverty reduction Africa’s S&T Consolidated Plan of Action S&T and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024-Implementation of AU Vision 2063

INNOVATION: THE USE OF ICTs Mobile and virtual technologies Case of Kenya Innovations in the informal sector economy

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